The panel will include:
• Vipin Garg Ph.D., CEO, Tranzyme Pharma as moderator
• David Levison, CEO, CardioDX
• Neal Fowler, CEO, Liquidia Technologies
• Mark A. Sirgo, Pharma.D., CEO, BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc.
• Tim Willis, CEO and co-founder, TearScience.

“I look forward to participating on this panel along with other leaders of thriving life science companies,” said Tim Willis. “I’m happy to share my experience on how to successfully bring a new breakthrough technology to market with aspiring entrepreneurs.”

TearScience provides a system that helps eye care physicians treat patients who suffer from evaporative dry eye. Evaporative dry eye occurs when meibomian glands in the eyelids become obstructed and do not secrete the oily lipids needed to keep the water portion of tears from evaporating too quickly. TearScience’s system includes two medical devices, the LipiView® Ocular Surface Interferometer and the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System. LipiView® captures detailed digital images to allow physicians to assess a dry eye patient’s tear film while the LipiFlow® treats evaporative dry eye disease by unblocking obstructed meibomian glands located in the eyelids during a 12-minute in-office procedure. The goal of unblocking the glands is to allow them to resume their natural production of lipids needed for a healthy tear film.
“The CED Life Science Conference represents one of the largest annual gatherings of the life science community in the Southeast,” said Joan Siefert Rose, CED president. “We are proud to feature many of the Triangle’s best emerging life science companies during the Emerging Company Showcase and their CEOs on the CEO panel.”

Industry professionals may attend the conference by registering on-site at the Raleigh Convention Center on February 15 or 16. For a full conference agenda, visit http://www.cednc.org/lifescience.

About TearScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye. Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 80 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film. The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease. Common symptoms of the disease include eye irritation, dryness, redness, tiredness, and visual disturbances. TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands. For additional information, visit www.tearscience.com.

Media Contact:
Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
mhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 459-4803

The new LipiFlow® console incorporates an enhanced graphical user interface by controlling pressure and displaying the treatment temperature, pressure sequence and treatment time remaining. The new LipiFlow® also allows physicians to store a record of the treatment on the device and on electronic medical record servers, eliminating the need to manually document the treatment in patient records.

LipiFlow®’s second generation product also allows physicians to treat two eyes simultaneously. Time savings achieved by performing a bilateral treatment is beneficial for both busy physicians and patients alike.

“We are pleased to have received FDA clearance for the second generation LipiFlow® to offer to our current and future customers,” said Tim Willis, chief executive officer and co-founder of TearScience. “The improvements in this next generation LipiFlow® reflect TearScience’s commitment to innovation. TearScience expects to provide many more enhancements that will assist physicians in treating dry eye sufferers efficiently, effectively and profitably.”

TearScience’s second generation LipiFlow® product will be commercially available in March 2012. Physicians currently using TearScience’s first generation LipiFlow® will be upgraded to the new system.

TearScience sells its LipiFlow® and LipiView® Ocular Surface Interferometer devices as a system for eye care practices. The LipiView® enables physicians to visualize the eye’s tear film. LipiView® won the 2011 Medical Design Excellence Award.

About TearScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye. Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 80 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film. The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease. Common symptoms of the disease include eye irritation, dryness, redness, tiredness, and visual disturbances. TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands. For additional information, visit www.tearscience.com.

Media Contact:
Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
mhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 459-4803

# # #

MORRISVILLE, N.C.,— January 3, 2012—TearScience, Inc., a venture funded medical device company, today announced it has been granted several patents on its LipiView^® Ocular Surface Interferometer medical device.  The LipiView^® allows eye care physicians to assess the tear film of dry eye patients.

The LipiView^® uses interferometric imaging to capture, manipulate, analyze, and store digital images of the tear film.  TearScience’s patents (7,758,190; 7,988,294; and D614,774) cover the interferometric technology and product design required to measure the lipid layer thickness of the tear film and methods for acquiring the digital images.

“We are proud to have been granted these patents on the LipiView^®,” said Tim Willis, chief executive officer and co-founder of TearScience. “The patents validate the uniqueness of the LipiView^® technology and product while demonstrating TearScience’s inventive culture.  LipiView^® is a significant advance in assessing the tear films of dry eye patients.”

TearScience’s technology platform is a complete system comprised of the LipiView^® and an evaporative dry eye treatment device, the LipiFlow^® Thermal Pulsation System.  LipiFlow^® is designed to treat a primary cause of evaporative dry eye disease, obstructed meibomian glands.  It uses precisely controlled heat and pressure applied to the eyelids to unblock obstructed meibomian glands during a 12-minute in-office procedure.  The LipiFlow^® treatment allows the meibomian glands to resume their natural production of lipids needed for a healthy tear film.

TearScience has a host of patents pending on its LipiFlow^® technology.  For a full list of TearScience’s patents, visit TearScience’s patent web page.

About TearScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience^® has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye.  Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is often caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film.  The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease.  TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands.  For additional information, visit www.TearScience.com.

Media Contact:
Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
mhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 459-4803

Morrisvile, N.C.,—December 5, 2011—TearScience, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, today announced Toronto-based Herzig Eye Institute, one of the leading authorities in laser vision correction and advanced cataract and refractive surgery, as its first Center of Excellence.

As a Center of Excellence, Herzig Eye Institute will educate eye care practices on how best to successfully implement TearScience’s LipiFlow^® Thermal Pulsation System within a busy practice setting.  TearScience’s system effectively distinguishes and treats one of the primary causes of dry eye disease.

“Herzig Eye Institute is one of the most innovative eye care centers in North America,” said Jeff O’Hara, vice president of North American sales.  “Herzig is the perfect model for helping other eye care practices become effective at integrating the LipiFlow treatment.  Given Herzig’s excellent clinical results using LipiFlow and how they have optimized patient flow, Herzig serves as a model of efficiency from which others can benefit.”

Evaporative dry eye is caused by a deficiency in the lipid layer of the eye’s natural tear film, resulting from blockages in the lipid-producing meibomian glands located in the eyelids, called meibomian gland dysfunction.  A lipid deficiency can lead to evaporation of tears at a faster rate than normal, which can leave eyes feeling dry, irritated, tired, and red.  TearScience’s LipiFlow system unblocks and evacuates obstructed meibomian glands during a 12 minute in-office procedure under the care of a physician.  Post treatment, the meibomian glands may resume their natural production of lipids needed for a healthy tear film.

“Herzig Eye Institute is very pleased to be TearScience’s first Center of Excellence,” said Dr. Sheldon Herzig, co-founder and medical director of the Herzig Eye Institute.  “The Center of Excellence concept is a valuable service that TearScience provides to forward-thinking eye care practices embracing dry eye treatment as a new service.  We are glad to assist other eye care professionals in implementing this important treatment system to better serve dry eye patients.”

TearScience’s system is comprised of the LipiView® Ocular Surface Interferometer and the LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System.  LipiView allows physicians to image the tear film of dry eye patients.  LipiFlow applies precise directed energy in a combination of heat and pulsatile pressure to a patient’s eyelids to facilitate the release of lipids from blocked meibomian glands.

About TearScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience^® has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye.  Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is often caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film.  The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease.  TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands.  For additional information, visit www.TearScience.com.

About Herzig Eye Institute
The Herzig Eye Institute has treated thousands of patients from across Canada, 42 US states and 23 countries worldwide.  The Herzig Eye Institute is led by Co-Founder and Medical Director Sheldon Herzig, MD, FRCSC, a world-renowned expert in his field and past president of the Canadian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeon who prepared the Recommended Safety Guidelines for Laser Refractive Centres in Canada and Co-Founder and CEO Cherry Tabb, recipient of the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Innovations.  The Herzig Eye Institute’s High Definition Vision® solutions utilize only the most advanced vision correction technology as well as other proven intraocular surgical procedures for patients who do not qualify for laser surgery.  The Herzig Eye Institute also offers treatments for presbyopia including NearVision CK, Monovision LASIK, Refractive Lens Exchange, the Intraocular Collamer Lens (ICL), as well as providing Advanced Cataract Solutions.  The Herzig Eye Institute is the only custom vision correction surgical centre in North America to be awarded the prestigious ISO 9001 certification by SGS International Certification Services, Inc.

Media Contact:

Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
mhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 459-4803

# # #

Durham, N.C.,— October 25, 2011—TearScience, Inc., a venture funded medical device company, today announced that Duke Eye Center, an academic research and education-based university eye care center, has purchased TearScience’s LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System, a breakthrough treatment for evaporative dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction.  Duke Eye Center focuses on the latest technology, research, and education to provide the most advanced patient care, including the management of dry eye disease.

“The LipiFlow system is a new approach to evaporative dry eye, a condition that is as common as cataracts,” according to Dr. Alan Carlson, chief of corneal and refractive surgery at Duke Eye Center.  “LipiFlow is an advance in treating evaporative dry eye and could change the management of patients who have needed something more than we have been able to offer them until now.”

TearScience’s LipiFlow system is designed to treat blockages of the meibomian glands, which produce the lipids (oil) required for a healthy tear film, during a non-invasive procedure administered at an eye care office.  LipiFlow uses a precise combination of heat and gentle pulsatile pressure applied to a patient’s eyelids to unblock obstructed glands, allowing the glands to resume the natural production of lipids.

In the U.S alone, an estimated $3.8 billion is spent annually directly in treating dry eye and that number is growing. Additionally, the indirect cost to society of lost productivity related to dry eye is estimated at $55.8 billion annually.

“Dry eye can be very debilitating,” added Carlson.  “It can negatively impact a person’s lifestyle, particularly for those who suffer from moderate to severe dry eye.  On average, LipiFlow provides symptomatic improvement for patients and improves meibomian gland secretions.”

Duke Eye Center specializes in treating some of the most challenging eye problems including dry eye, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.  The center provides state-of-the-art eye care to more than 130,000 patients annually.  Dr. Carlson is a leader in cataract, refractive, and corneal surgery having published more than 100 articles, book chapters, and instructional surgical videos highlighting his interest in the management and prevention of surgical complications.  Carlson has also been named to several best doctor lists for 15 consecutive years.

“Dr. Carlson and the Duke Eye Center are well known for an innovative and caring approach to patient care,” said Tim Willis, president and CEO of TearScience.  “We are delighted to have them as one of the first in the U.S. to implement our breakthrough solution for evaporative dry eye sufferers.”

TearScience’s technology platform is comprised of the LipiView Ocular Surface Interferometer and the LipiFlowThermal Pulsation System.  LipiView allows physicians to visualize the tear film of patients with dry eye disease.

About TearScience, Inc.

Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye.  Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is often caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film.  The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease.  TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands.  For additional information, visit www.TearScience.com.

About Duke Eye Center

Duke Eye Center seeks to preserve and restore eye sight by providing the highest quality and most complete health care to our patients.  By sharing knowledge, skills and the latest breakthroughs in eye care with patients, we strive to improve ophthalmic treatments and patient outcomes.  Duke Eye Center is dedicated to finding cures for blinding eye diseases.

Media Contacts:

Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
mhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 459-4803

Justin Hammond
Duke Eye Center
justin.hammon@duke.edu
(919) 668-1345

Morrisville, N.C.,— October 14, 2011—TearScience, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, today announced that Fayetteville, North Carolina-based Carolina Vision Center, is the first eye care center in United States to commercially offer the LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System, a breakthrough treatment for evaporative dry eye disease.  TearScience’s LipiFlow is designed to address meibomian gland dysfunction, allowing for the treatment of eyelid gland blockages during a non-invasive procedure administered at an eye care office.  Opening the blocked eyelid glands allows the glands to resume the natural production of lipids (oils) needed for a healthy tear film. TearScience received U.S. FDA clearance for its LipiFlow medical device on June 28, 2011.

“I am very pleased with the results since receiving the LipiFlow treatment at Carolina Vision Center,” said Suzanne Hughes, a Raleigh resident and long time dry eye sufferer.  “My eyes are no longer red or itchy.  The LipiFlow treatment was painless.  It felt like my eyes were being gently massaged with mild heat.  I would highly recommend this treatment for those with chronic dry eye.”

Evaporative dry eye is caused by a deficiency in the lipid layer of the eye’s natural tear film, resulting from blockages in the lipid-producing meibomian glands located in the eyelids, called meibomian gland dysfunction.  A lipid deficiency can lead to evaporation of tears at a faster rate than normal, which can leave eyes feeling dry, irritated, tired and red.  Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye.

“Carolina Vision Center prides itself on using the most advanced technology to provide excellent patient care,” said Dr. Michael Woodcock, founder at Carolina Vision Center.  “The LipiFlow system provides us with an entirely new way to help a host of very frustrated dry eye patients.  I was very impressed with the science behind the LipiFlow and the clinical trial results.  I’m delighted that we are the first in the U.S. to offer this advanced treatment.”

TearScience’s technology platform is comprised of the LipiView Ocular Surface Interferometer and the LipiFlowThermal Pulsation System.  LipiView allows physicians to visualize the tear film of patients with dry eye disease.  LipiFlow applies a precise combination of heat and pulsatile pressure to a patient’s eyelids during a 12-minute in-office treatment, which is designed to alleviate meibomian gland blockages.   “We are very proud to work with Carolina Vision Center, one of the most innovative eye care centers on the east coast,” said Jeff O’Hara, vice president of North American sales for TearScience.  “This is a very exciting time for dry eye patients who now have a viable alternative to traditional dry eye treatments.”           

About TearScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience^® has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye.  Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is often caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film.  The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease.  TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands.  For additional information, visit www.TearScience.com.

About Carolina Vision Center

Carolina Vision Center serves its patients with the most advanced technology, the most skilled physicians and the most knowledgeable and caring staff.  Carolina Vision Center specializes in dry eye, cataracts, macular degeneration, LASIK, glaucoma, and premium lenses.  Dr. Michael Woodcock, the founder of Carolina Vision Center, has been involved in numerous clinical trials and has been voted on America’s Top Ophthalmologist list each year since 2004.

Media Contacts:

Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
mhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 459-4803

Heather Bosher
Carolina Vision Center
heather.woodcock.bosher@carolinavisioncenter.com
(910) 221-3660

“We are pleased to engage Oxford Finance and Silicon Valley Bank as our newest partners supporting our commercialization efforts,” said Nicole Wicker, vice president of finance for TearScience.  “Having both a premier banking institution and a debt firm that focuses exclusively on the healthcare industry as our partners makes good business sense as we begin our next stage of growth.”

“Given TearScience’s recent FDA clearance for its LipiFlow^® Thermal Pulsation System, we feel confident about the company’s future success,” said Christopher A. Herr, managing director for Oxford Finance.  “TearScience’s advanced solutions have great potential to improve the well-being of dry eye sufferers.”

TearScience sells its LipiFlow^® Thermal Pulsation System and LipiView^® Ocular Surface Interferometer devices as a solution for eye care practices.  LipiFlow^® is designed to remove meibomian gland obstructions by applying directed energy to a patient’s eyelid during a 12-minute in-office treatment.  LipiView^® enables physicians to visualize the eye’s tear film.

About TearScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye.  Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film.  The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease.  TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands.  For additional information, visit www.tearscience.com

About Oxford Finance LLC

Oxford Finance is a specialty finance firm providing senior secured loans to public and private life sciences and healthcare services companies worldwide.  For over 20 years, Oxford has delivered flexible financing solutions to its clients, enabling these companies to maximize their equity by leveraging their assets.  In recent years, Oxford has originated over $1.5 billion in loans, with lines of credit ranging from $500 thousand to $50 million.  Oxford is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with additional offices in California, Illinois, Massachusetts and North Carolina. For more information, visit www.oxfordfinance.com.

About Silicon Valley Bank

Silicon Valley Bank is the premier bank for technology, life science, cleantech, venture capital, private equity and premium wine businesses. SVB provides industry knowledge and connections, financing, treasury management, corporate investment and international banking services to its clients worldwide through 26 U.S. offices and seven international operations. (Nasdaq:SIVB – News) www.svb.com.

Silicon Valley Bank is the California bank subsidiary and the commercial banking operation of SVB Financial Group. Banking services are provided by Silicon Valley Bank, a member of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve System. SVB Private Bank is a division of Silicon Valley Bank. SVB Financial Group is also a member of the Federal Reserve System.

Media Contacts:

Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience, Inc.
mhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 459-4803

Shelly Davis
Oxford Finance LLC
sdavis@oxfordfinance.com
(888) 471-0174

Reichardt brings a wealth of sales, marketing and overall management experience to TearScience having served in leadership positions for several global medical device and pharmaceutical eye care companies. During his greater than 20 year career with Allergan, he built the company’s central European business and served as regional vice president. As a global divisional head and corporate vice president of Allergan, he was responsible for regaining global market leadership in the eye care business he managed. Later, Reichardt was vice president and managing director international for ChromaVision Medical Systems, a medical device company for oncologists. He was also president of Europe for Ocular Sciences, where he built the fastest growing ophthalmic business in its segment in Europe. Most recently, Reichardt was director of global business development for Sauflon Pharmaceuticals, where he re-launched the business in central Europe and focused on market entry strategies for the U.S. and Japan.

“Given his extensive knowledge of the European eye care industry, Diethart is the perfect fit for establishing and managing TearScience’s growth in Europe,” said Tim Willis, chief executive officer and co-founder of TearScience. “Diethart has a proven track record of success in building hundred-million dollar European businesses. We welcome him to the TearScience executive team and anticipate excellent results.”

“TearScience’s solution is revolutionary and will cause a complete paradigm shift in how dry eye will be managed and treated over the next few years,” said Diethart Reichardt. “Introducing a new, advanced technology to the European market is exactly the type of challenge I was looking for. I look forward to the opportunities and benefits this presents to patients, physicians and TearScience.”

In June, 2011, TearScience received U.S. FDA clearance to market its LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation medical device in the United States. The company’s LipiFlow treatment device is designed to address a root cause of evaporative dry eye disease, obstructed meibomian glands, which results in a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film.

About TearScience, Inc.

Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye. Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is often caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film. The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that MGD is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease. TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands. For additional information, visit www.TearScience.com.

Media Contact:

Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
mhkissell@TearScience.com
+1 (919) 523-7993

MorrisvilLe, N.C.,—July 11, 2011—TearScience, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, today announced that it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), also known as evaporative dry eye. The clearance enables TearScience to market and sell LipiFlow to eye care physicians in the U.S. LipiFlow will be available immediately, but on a limited basis in the U.S. through the end of 2011. LipiFlow removes meibomian gland obstructions by applying directed energy to a patient’s eyelid during a 12-minute in-office treatment.

As stated in the workshop report* dated March, 2011 from Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s (TFOS) two-year international workshop on MGD, MGD may well be the leading cause of dry eye disease throughout the world. MGD’s role in ocular health is gaining recognition as the industry reaches consensus on a standard definition, classification, diagnosis, and therapy for the disease.

“At last physicians will have the necessary tools they need to break the cycle of frustration for many dry eye patients,” said Dr. Alan N. Carlson, chief of the Corneal, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Service at the Duke Eye Center in Durham, N.C. “Now, with FDA clearance to market the LipiFlow, TearScience provides a new, innovative alternative treatment that delivers effective relief for many patients who desperately need it.”

Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye. Common symptoms of the disease include eye irritation, dryness, redness, tiredness, and visual disturbances. TearScience’s integrated, in-office system addresses a root cause of evaporative dry eye, the obstructed glands. By assessing the tear film and meibomian gland function, physicians can determine whether MGD is the primary cause of a patient’s evaporative dry eye and whether a patient is a good candidate for the LipiFlow® treatment.

TearScience gained FDA clearance by demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of LipiFlow through a U.S.-based nine-center randomized controlled clinical trial for the treatment of evaporative dry eye.

“The LipiFlow system is a very unique, very exciting system,” said Stephen S. Lane, MD of Associated Eye Care of Stillwater, Minnesota. “For the first time, we have a dry eye treatment regimen that patients can undergo in 12 minutes per eye in a physician’s office. When LipiFlow patients were seen for follow up appointments, they were very excited about the significant decrease in symptoms with many noting a significant improvement in the comfort level they were having – even from the first day of the procedure.”
TearScience will sell its LipiFlow and LipiView Ocular Surface Interferometer devices as a system for eye care practices. The LipiView enables physicians to visualize the eye’s tear film. LipiView won the 2011 Medical Design Excellence Award.

“We are gratified and blessed to have secured FDA clearance for the LipiFlow,” said Tim Willis, chief executive officer and co-founder of TearScience. “This marks an important day for ophthalmologists as now our advanced technology is available for their dry eye patients. I’m grateful to all those who have helped us reach this important milestone, especially our employees, our venture capital partners, the many physicians and patients involved in our development efforts and clinical trials and particularly, Dr. Donald Korb, the genius behind our technology.”

* The TFOS MGD Report was published in March, 2011 by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). ARVO owns the copyright to this report.

About TearScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye. Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film. The Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) workshop, involving two years of work by 50 leading experts from around the world, concluded that Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is an under-estimated condition and is very likely the most frequent cause of dry eye disease. TearScience’s integrated, in-office system enables eye care professionals to effectively address a root cause of evaporative dry eye, obstructed meibomian glands. For additional information, visit www.tearscience.com.

Media Contact:

Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
mhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 459-4803

Morrisvile, N.C.,— June 13, 2011—TearScience, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, announced that the Toronto-based Herzig Eye Institute, one of the leading authorities in laser vision correction and advanced cataract and refractive surgery, is the first eye care centre in North America to introduce the innovative LipiFlow® evaporative dry eye disease treatment system, which has received a medical device licence from Health Canada.

Evaporative dry eye is caused by a deficiency in the lipid layer of the eye’s natural tear film, resulting from blockages in the lipid-producing meibomian glands located in the eyelids, called meibomian gland dysfunction. A lipid deficiency can lead to evaporation of tears at a faster rate than normal, which can leave eyes feeling dry, irritated, tired and red.

Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye. TearScience’s LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System is a significant technological shift in treating meibomian gland dysfunction and evaporative dry eye, allowing eyelid gland blockages to be treated during a non-invasive procedure at an eye care office. Opening the blocked eyelid glands allows the glands to resume the natural production of lipids needed for a healthy tear film.

“The Herzig Eye Institute is thrilled to be the first centre in North America to offer patients TearScience’s LipiFlow® system,” states Dr. Sheldon Herzig, co-founder and medical director of the Herzig Eye Institute. “This treatment is a leading edge breakthrough that will improve how we treat patients suffering from chronic dry eye. While there is no cure for chronic dry eye, LipiFlow® opens blocked meibomian glands, allowing the glands to resume the natural lipid secretion needed in the tear film to lubricate and prevent evaporation.”

TearScience’s technology platform is comprised of the LipiView® Ocular Surface Interferometer and the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System. LipiView® allows physicians to visualize the tear film of patients with dry eye disease. LipiFlow® applies a precise combination of heat and pressure to a patient’s eyelids during a 12-minute in-office treatment, which is designed to alleviate meibomian gland blockages.

“We are pleased to be working with the Herzig Eye Institute, one of the most innovative eye care centres in North America,” said Jeff O’Hara, vice president of North American sales for TearScience. “Together, Herzig and TearScience can help patients return to the many daily activities that dry eye has kept them from enjoying.”

An industry leader, the Herzig Eye Institute provides High Definition Vision® solutions for their patients including laser vision correction, advanced cataract and refractive surgery, solutions for presbyopia and evaporative dry eye treatments. Led by co-founder and medical director Sheldon Herzig, MD, FRCSC, former president of the Canadian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and co-founder and CEO Cherry Tabb, recipient of the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Innovations, the Herzig Eye Institute utilizes only the most advanced, state-of-the-art technologies to deliver the best eye care solutions safely and reliably. Herzig’s world renowned physicians deliver the best care and surgical outcomes for patients.

About TearScience, Inc.
Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, TearScience has pioneered devices that provide significant clinical improvement in the treatment of evaporative dry eye. Of the more than 100 million dry eye sufferers worldwide, approximately 65 percent have evaporative dry eye, which is caused by meibomian gland dysfunction and a lipid deficiency of the eye’s natural tear film. TearScience’s integrated, in-office system is the first to enable eye care professionals to address a root cause of evaporative dry eye. For additional information, visit www.tearscience.com.

About the Herzig Eye Institute:

The Herzig Eye Institute has treated thousands of patients from across Canada, 42 US states and 23 countries worldwide. The Herzig Eye Institute is led by Co-Founder and Medical Director Sheldon Herzig, MD, FRCSC, a world-renowned expert in his field and past president of the Canadian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeon who prepared the Recommended Safety Guidelines for Laser Refractive Centres in Canada and Co-Founder and CEO Cherry Tabb, recipient of the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Innovations. The Herzig Eye Institute’s High Definition Vision® solutions utilize only the most advanced vision correction technology as well as other proven intraocular surgical procedures for patients who do not qualify for laser surgery. The Herzig Eye Institute also offers treatments for presbyopia including NearVision CK, Monovision LASIK, Refractive Lens Exchange, the Intraocular Collamer Lens (ICL), as well as providing Advanced Cataract Solutions. The Herzig Eye Institute is the only custom vision correction surgical centre in North America to be awarded the prestigious ISO 9001 certification by SGS International Certification Services, Inc.

Media Contacts:

Mary Hecht-Kissell
TearScience
maryhkissell@tearscience.com
(919) 846-4949

Peter Ashworth
Ashworth Associates PR for the Herzig Eye Institute
peter@ashworthassociates.com
(416) 603-6005